Terry's inclusion in the Blues starting XI was always going to be a talking point, coming as it did only a day after he was found guilty by the FA of using racist language towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

But the Blues skipper once again produced a calm and determined performance in front of a hostile Emirates Stadium crowd as his side withstood a late Gunners barrage to bank another vital three points.

Speaking after the match, Di Matteo said: "I think it was the right choice from my side to pick him.

"He showed his leadership qualities and what a good defender he is for the team."

After the match Terry reportedly removed his boots and gave them to a young Chelsea fan in the away end, and his manager added: "There’s always a lot of talk about the negative side of him, but he does a lot of good work as well.

"He gives a lot of boots away to young kids, and he does a lot of other positive stuff as well."

Chelsea often found themselves stretched by a determined Arsenal team roared on by a raucous home crowd, but goals from Fernando Torres and Juan Mata secured a victory which keeps them top of the Premier League.

The creative trio of Eden Hazard, Mata and Oscar particularly impressed as they combined neatly in possession and worked hard out of it, and Di Matteo admitted he was happy with their progress.

"I’m very pleased with the performance, and I think we deservedly won," he added.